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Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Christy has been a contributor at Insurify since August 2023.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Table of contents
The only way to cancel Erie auto insurance is to contact your local insurance agent directly. You can find your agent’s contact details on your insurance policy or by using Erie’s online tool that lets you find your local agent.[1]
Erie’s cancellation policy
While Erie hopes to retain its policyholders, the company honors all cancellation requests. To cancel your car insurance with Erie, you’ll need to reach out to a local Erie agent via phone, mail, or in person. You can ask for your cancellation to take effect immediately or at a later date to avoid a lapse in coverage.
When you get hold of an agent, you’ll need to share your name, policy number, and desired date of termination. Fortunately, you won’t have to pay a cancellation fee when you do so. Also, if you paid for your policy up front, you may be eligible for a prorated refund of any unused portions.
Step 1: Look up the renewal date
If you want to cancel your Erie auto insurance policy, you may want to do so right away. However, if you cancel your current plan as close to your renewal date as possible, you can avoid a gap in coverage, which would otherwise be a serious issue if a police officer pulls you over or you get into a car accident.
Canceling near your renewal date may also make it easier to switch car insurance companies and enroll in new coverage. To find your renewal date, log in to your online account at erieinsurance.com. You can also look at your auto insurance identification card, which you may have in your vehicle’s glove box or download from the Erie website.
Step 2: Compare car insurance quotes
If you’re thinking about canceling your auto insurance from Erie, it’s helpful to make sure you have other options for affordable coverage. Many factors affect what you’ll pay for insurance, including your driving record, other drivers on your policy, where you live, and the vehicle you drive.
Different insurers have their own processes for evaluating risk levels, so coverage from some insurers may cost significantly less than others for motorists with certain driving profiles. By comparing quotes from different insurers, you can make sure you’re paying the best price for a policy.[2]
How Erie quotes stack up vs. competitors
The cost of auto coverage can vary substantially by location and insurer. Different states have varying risk factors and policies — including minimum insurance requirements — that affect prices.
Beyond location, you’ll need to look for a car insurance company that meets your needs based on your driver profile, vehicle type, desired coverage, and more. Erie offers a variety of insurance products, including auto, home and property, business, and life insurance.
The company stands out as a quality car insurance company with a high Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 8.4 out of 5, an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, and high rankings in customer satisfaction and service from J.D. Power. However, Erie sells coverage in only 12 states and doesn’t have solid online service offerings.
The table below shows how Erie stacks up to a handful of comparable auto insurers.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Full Coverage | Average Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|---|
| COUNTRY Financial | $77 | $42 |
| Auto-Owners | $80 | $46 |
| NJM | $94 | $61 |
| USAA | $99 | $53 |
| State Farm | $108 | $56 |
| Mile Auto | $114 | $69 |
| Erie | $122 | $78 |
| Allstate | $140 | $75 |
| GEICO | $140 | $90 |
| Safeco | $142 | $87 |
| Root | $150 | $89 |
| American Family | $150 | $81 |
| Direct Auto | $161 | $95 |
| Mercury | $163 | $96 |
| Elephant | $169 | $114 |
| Progressive | $172 | $97 |
| Anchor | $174 | $112 |
| National General | $175 | $94 |
| The General | $180 | $94 |
| Nationwide | $181 | $96 |
| CSAA | $183 | $129 |
| Travelers | $187 | $100 |
| Clearcover | $195 | $142 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $202 | $85 |
| Bristol West | $205 | $101 |
| Farmers | $213 | $110 |
| Liberty Mutual | $213 | $157 |
| GAINSCO | $216 | $102 |
| Chubb | $216 | $120 |
| Shelter | $231 | $145 |
| 21st Century | $237 | $133 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $238 | $126 |
| The Hartford | $244 | $156 |
| Dairyland | $246 | $91 |
| State Auto | $260 | $151 |
| Amica | $433 | $279 |
Step 3: Secure a new car insurance policy
It’s very important to set up a new auto insurance policy before canceling your existing coverage. States have minimum coverage requirements, and driving while uninsured could result in the suspension of your vehicle registration, expensive fines, and other potential penalties. It can also cost more to buy new coverage after a lapse in coverage.
To sign up for a new policy, you’ll need to contact an insurance agent or complete an application online, depending on the policies of the insurance company. The insurer may check your credit, as this is a factor that companies in many states can consider when setting premiums.
You’ll also need to provide key information to the insurer to get coverage, including:
The date you want the policy to become effective
Your date of birth
Your driver’s license number
Your vehicle identification number (VIN)
Your credit card, bank account, or other method of payment
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Learn More: How to Compare Car Insurance Rates
Step 4: Cancel your Erie policy
If you’ve already finalized a new car insurance plan and wish to cancel your Erie auto insurance policy, you’ll have to contact a local Erie insurance agent.[3] No matter if you reach them by phone, via mail, or in person, you’ll need an official written notice that includes:
Your name, address, and phone number
Your Erie policy number
Your Social Security number and date of birth
Your driver’s license number
The date you’d like your policy to end
Your dated signature
Here are more details on each cancellation method.
Phone
To cancel your car insurance coverage by phone, call Erie customer care at 1 (800) 458-0811 any weekday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. You can select option 4 or stay on the line. If you have your local agent’s number on hand, call them directly to save time.
You can also bypass the phone and send your written notice to the Erie Insurance headquarters at:
Erie Insurance Group
100 Erie Insurance Place
Erie, PA 16530
To allow ample time for shipping, processing, and delays, try to send your letter a few weeks before you’d like your policy to end.
In person
If you prefer a more traditional in-person cancellation, visit a local Erie insurance branch, the locations of which you can find on the Erie website. These branches are in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
Step 5: Follow up on your refund
Just like any other car insurance company, Erie is in business to make money. Therefore, your refund may not be at the top of its priority list, even if you’ve been a longtime policyholder and canceled on good terms.
If you know Erie owes you a refund because of the way you paid for your policy, be sure to contact a local agent if you don’t receive it a few weeks after your termination. Since your refund may be hundreds of dollars, don’t forget about it. Follow up until you receive the correct prorated amount the company owes you.
Cancel Erie auto insurance FAQs
If you’re thinking about canceling your insurance coverage with Erie, you may find this additional information helpful.
Can you cancel your Erie policy at any time?
You can cancel your Erie Insurance policy at any time and for any reason. You won’t face a cancellation fee. However, make sure you have alternative insurance in place to avoid the consequences of owning or driving an uninsured vehicle. You should time your cancellation close to your renewal date.
Does Erie have a grace period for non-payment?
Erie doesn’t provide information about a grace period online. However, Erie policyholders with past-due payments can’t schedule payments for a future date when making payments.
Does Erie charge a cancellation fee?
Unlike some car insurance companies, Erie Insurance doesn’t charge a fee for canceling an auto policy. The insurer may even send you a prorated refund for any unused premiums. It’s a good idea to confirm any fees or refunds with an agent when you initiate the cancellation process.
Should you cancel or change your policy?
Whether you should look for different auto coverage from Erie or cancel your plan altogether depends on your unique situation. If you find a better plan and Erie offers you a lower rate or rate lock, you may benefit from staying with Erie. However, if you’re moving to a state where Erie doesn’t offer coverage or receive an unbeatable car insurance offer elsewhere, terminating your policy is likely your best bet.
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Can You Reinstate a Canceled Car Insurance Policy?
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Nonrenewal vs. Cancellation: Can Car Insurance Drop You?
Sources
- Erie Insurance. "How to Cancel Car Insurance."
- Natiuonal Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance."
- Erie Insurance. "Contact ERIE."
)
Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Christy has been a contributor at Insurify since August 2023.
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
)
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